Making Waves (AV Magazine)

Matrox Video co-founder and president, Lorne Trottier reflects on 50 years in the industry, looks ahead to InfoComm and reveals more about the company's open source codec development.   

Danielle Myburgh, Sales Director at Pixel Global AV, discusses her journey into the AV industry, the evolution of workplace technology and the importance of community within the sector. She explains how her background in sales and customer experience has shaped her people-first approach to AV, with a focus on creating intuitive, seamless technology experiences that support collaboration and productivity. She also touched upon how initiatives such as Girls with Drive and the Rise AV Elevate programme are helping build stronger connections and greater visibility for women across the AV industry. Martine Dodwell-Bennett, founder of Girls with Drive, discusses how the initiative began, why it is important and the opportunities it has created. We also hear from participants Beky Cann and Danielle Myburgh about why they joined, their previous experiences with golf and what they have learned from taking part. Together, they reflect on the confidence the programme has given them to participate in what is often perceived as a male-dominated networking environment.

Anna Shahin of Audiologic discusses her career journey and what led her into the AV industry, along with the defining moments, challenges, growth and achievements that have shaped her path. She also highlights the importance of supportive workplaces and initiatives such as Rise AV in helping women develop their careers. Rachael Hamilton, Managing Director of Rise AV, shares insights into the success of last year’s mentoring programme, the launch of this year’s initiative and the introduction of the new Elevate programme. She also reinforces the importance of representation and increasing the visibility of women in the AV industry.

AV Magazine Commercial Director David Allen sits down with Gordon Dutch, CEO of Re-Sauce, a specialist sales and business consultancy, at the Peerless-AV Showcase to discuss the importance of the event and Gordon’s new appointment as ambassador to Givingback.tech.

Much progress has been made in opening new pathways into AV through apprenticeships – for eg, studying for the AV Technician Level 5 Apprenticeship (launched in Autumn 2022) at Middlesbrough College. To find out how everything’s going, we thought we’d talk to Max Tait who is currently our AV Apprentice of The Year. He’s been with AVI-SPL, UK + Ireland for nearly four years. Also with Clive Couldwell and Max in the studio – which this week comes from The Rose Shure Experience Centre in London – is Neil Spackman, Regional Service Director – International for AVI-SPL. Neil set up the work experience programme at AVI-SPL, and then expanded it out to become an apprenticeship programme. He’s also a mentor for work placements and apprentices. Max was in the first batch of work placements and the company’s first apprentice.

Much progress has been made in opening new pathways into AV through apprenticeships – for eg, studying for the AV Technician Level 5 Apprenticeship (launched in Autumn 2022) at Middlesbrough College. To find out how everything’s going, we thought we’d talk to Max Tait who is currently our AV Apprentice of The Year. He’s been with AVI-SPL, UK + Ireland for nearly four years. Also with Clive Couldwell and Max in the studio – which this week comes from The Rose Shure Experience Centre in London – is Neil Spackman, Regional Service Director – International for AVI-SPL. Neil set up the work experience programme at AVI-SPL, and then expanded it out to become an apprenticeship programme. He’s also a mentor for work placements and apprentices. Max was in the first batch of work placements and the company’s first apprentice.

Recorded at the recent Midwich Tech Xpo show, a special panel of AV and digital signage experts debate with Clive Couldwell about how artificial intelligence is transforming the AV industry. Guests include: Jon Sidwick, Co-Founder/Owner, Blue Touch Paper (BTP); Jason Cremins, Chief Product Officer, Navori Labs (formerly Founder + CEO, Signagelive); Dan Root, Global Vice-President of Sales + Partnerships, NetSpeek; and Nick Fagan, Head of Innovation at DRPG. They explore AI’s role in making room control more flexible, powering audience-aware digital signage, and driving creative content that adapts in realtime. They also discuss the channel’s shift from selling hardware-led CapEx solutions to data-driven, service-based OpEx models, and the emergence of AI agents for everything from scheduling to on-site support.

All Things TechIE podcast’s Justin Dawson takes some time out to talk about the other Clive Couldwell – his colourful life before AV Magazine, as well as the audio visual media itself. You’ll be surprised what this lively session exposes, including the origin of ‘Clive the bear’. Well, that’s what Clive said anyway…

After a number of years, our celebrated Head of Multimedia – Mr David Berman – is leaving us for pastures new. David has built the multimedia team up here from scratch, providing services to virtually every brand in Emap - across video, podcast, animation, and photography. As a video journalist, he’s interviewed many of our top brands, and even stepped in to host conference sessions when we’ve needed chairs. Here he's talking to Clive Couldwell about his time at Emap, the evolution of multimedia, plus the projects and moments that have defined his career.

Artificial Intelligence. It’s coming and we need to do something about it…. Apparently. But what? Really, just what has AI got to do with AV? Well, let us introduce you to Byron Tarry - the former CEO of the GPA who left the organisation in late 2024, after nearly 7 years at the helm – and who can more than cast some light on the subject. He's talking to Clive Couldwell.